Using hemp extracts for the first time can be a little intimidating. With CBD growing in popularity, if you’ve decided to try it, you may have one more decision to make: how do I want to consume it? There are a few ways to use the naturally occurring compound orally.
While all methods are effective, each one has advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing one often depends on why you are using it. Consumers looking for a general daily product to maintain balance may prefer a different way to take CBD than the person that wants it to relax at the end of the day. Here’s a guide to help you determine the best option for your wellness needs.
Tinctures are a concentrated form of CBD, which is why the dose is only a few drops under the tongue daily. These are often available in 10ml and 30ml glass bottles that come with a built-in dropper. Tinctures can be used sublingually, which involves placing the dose under your tongue, so the oil absorbs into the bloodstream.
The market is still expanding for hemp extracts. Although you have several ways to use CBD, most of the products available are CBD tinctures. You can find a variety of strengths, flavors, additives, and formulas.
As mentioned, CBD oil is a concentrate. There isn’t a standard potency chart where all brands offer the same options. Instead, you’ll find potency varies from the low end of 500mg to a mid-range of 1200mg, to a full-strength oil of 2,500mg or more per bottle. The tincture with various strengths allows you to customize your dosing, which can vary significantly between consumers.
Next up is flavor—The popular hemp extract has a strong plant flavor. While many people don’t mind it in small doses, others can’t stomach the taste, and it turns them off to using CBD. Enter all-natural flavoring. Many brands add additional organic ingredients to improve consumer’s experience, such as mint, orange, and lemon.
Of course, you don’t need to use the oil sublingually or under the tongue. You can mix it with a drink or food. Allowing the oil to absorb into the body through digestion carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It covers a taste you may not be happy about, but it takes longer to work. A few drops under your tongue works in less than 20 minutes. When you digest it, the onset can vary between 30 to 90 minutes.
Speaking of other components, some companies are trying to expand their products and customer base by including natural elements, such as enhanced terpene profiles and melatonin. These additions may improve the overall performance of the CBD tincture.
On the downside, all the options available for CBD extract can be a disadvantage. Choosing just one can be difficult and lead to frustration. Sometimes more isn’t always better.
Another complaint some consumers have with CBD oil is it can be messy. Anytime you’re working with an oil-based product, there’s a slight chance of spilling some. Not only is it difficult to clean, but CBD also isn’t cheap. You don’t want to waste a drop.
Buyers looking to use CBD at work on a break or during their commute may find it harder to use a tincture. If you want a more discreet method for using hemp extracts, you may want to consider the capsules that are easy to take with a few sips of water.
Many consumers aren’t comfortable using a tincture. CBD capsules are a more traditional way of adding new products to your wellness routine. These are virtually the same as an oil, but it’s infused into a capsule. These have all the same options as CBD tinctures but may vary in bioavailability. These differences occur because the delivery system involves the digestion system and not a straight route to the bloodstream.
Just like the CBD oil, you have the option of different strengths, formulas, and additional ingredients. Additionally, hemp extract capsules are odorless and tasteless. Consumers that aren’t particular to natural flavor or enhancements can skip that issue when choosing CBD capsules.
Another advantage is they’re discreet. No one is going to think twice about you taking a pill with a few sips of water. Take your dose 30 minutes before or after eating for the best results.
Many consumers pick softgels because the dosing is easy. You don’t have to measure out oil with a dropper. Instead, just pop a pill and continue on with your day.
There are far fewer disadvantages to using CBD softgels than other methods. The most notable is the onset. It takes longer to feel the effects of CBD when you use it orally. The digestion process takes between 30 to 90 minutes and can vary depending on the last time you ate and what you consumed. For example, researchers have found that bioavailability improves when you eat fatty foods. This makes sense because CBD is fat-soluble.
The study’s co-author, Angela Birnbaum, a professor in the College of Pharmacy, explains,
“The type of food can make a large difference in the amount of CBD that gets absorbed into the body. Although fatty foods can increase the absorption of CBD, it can also increase the variability as not all meals contain the same amount of fat.”
What makes these CBD edibles so popular? Gummies are yummy. They’re also a fun way to take hemp extracts. CBD gummies are created in the same manner as CBD capsules. These are infused with CBD oil. The tasty treats are available in different fruit flavors. Consumers can also purchase them with the same additional ingredients found in many CBD tinctures, such as enhanced terpene profiles, melatonin, and other all-natural additives.
As mentioned, CBD gummies’ most significant benefits are that they taste great and are fun to take. Many users report that they can’t detect the plant flavor with the all-natural candies. For older consumers or individuals that have trouble swallowing pills, an edible is an excellent alternative. Gummies offer accurate dosing like capsules. However, unlike a softgel, you can cut gummies in half to split the dose, which some customers find helpful.
Again, the disadvantages of CBD edibles are similar to capsules. These take longer than tinctures to work, and the timing isn’t as specific with gummies. Additionally, people that need a high dose of CBD may find it more economical to use an oil.
Deciding between CBD tinctures, capsules, and gummies can be challenging. Each is easy, the prices are comparable, and they all come in different strengths and flavors. It’s also a personal decision. For the best results, you should use CBD daily. Consumers that plan to follow the recommendation need to be comfortable with their choice. Remember, you can always change to another method if you’re not happy.
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